Magic Star Paolo Banchero Out Indefinitely Due to Torn Right Oblique

After undergoing additional testing today in Cleveland, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been diagnosed with a torn right oblique, as announced by President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman.

Banchero will be out indefinitely, with his return to play contingent on how he responds to treatment. He is scheduled for re-evaluation in four to six weeks. The injury occurred during the fourth quarter of Orlando's game against Chicago on October 30.

Standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing 250 pounds, Banchero has played and started in five games this season, averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 36.4 minutes per game. He has led or tied for the team lead in scoring three times, in rebounding twice, and in assists three times. Banchero has scored in double figures in all five games, with three performances of 20-plus points and three games exceeding 30 points, including a career-high 50 points against Indiana on October 28.

This achievement made him the fourth player in franchise history to score over 50 points in a game. At just 21 years and 351 days old, Banchero became the youngest player in franchise history to accomplish this feat and the second-youngest player in NBA history to score 50 or more points, along with 10 or more rebounds and 5 or more assists in a game, following LeBron James (20 years, 80 days).

Last season, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in a team-high 35.0 minutes per game. He made history as the youngest player in NBA history (21 years, 154 days) to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, and assists, earning him a spot as an NBA All-Star.

Originally selected first overall by the Magic in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has played and started in 157 career regular-season games, all with Orlando, averaging 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 34.5 minutes. He was named the 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and was the only unanimous selection to the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie First Team.